Iran has banned weightlifter Mostafa Rajaei for life for posing with an Israeli competitor during the Masters World Weightlifting Championships in Wieliczka, Poland, state news agencies reported.
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said Mr Rajaei "took a picture with and hugged" his Israeli counterpart.
State news agency Irna said the Iranian contestant held his national flag next to the Israeli flag.
A picture of the two men circulated on Iranian state media outlets.
Mr Rajaei was banned for "crossing the red lines of the Islamic republic", agencies reported. The weightlifting federation also dismissed the head of Iran's delegation Hamid Salehinia.
Iran does not recognise Israel, which it calls an "enemy" and prohibits all contact between Iranian and Israeli athletes.

Mr Rajaei is a former member of the Iranian national team and represented his country at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Thailand in 2015.
In 2021, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged athletes "not to shake hands with a representative of the (Israeli) criminal regime to obtain a medal".
For years, Iranian athletes have managed to avoid meeting Israelis in competitions, often by getting disqualified or providing medical certificates testifying that they were unwell.
Young chess prodigy Alireza Firouzja left Iran after the sport's federation banned him from playing in the 2019 world championship for fear he would face an Israeli player. He is now a naturalised French citizen.
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
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Trippier bio
Date of birth September 19, 1990
Place of birth Bury, United Kingdom
Age 26
Height 1.74 metres
Nationality England
Position Right-back
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
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Time; race; prize; distance
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Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
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5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
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5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
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6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
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Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
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